Heart Seed 1
Oil on canvas
50.8 x 60.9 cm (20 x 24 in)
2021
Heart Seed 1 explores the origin of psychological intentions and questioning the creation of affection so called jeong (정情) through metaphorical comparisons to nature. Throughout the process, I meticulously documented my unfiltered feelings in a journal each day, uneveiling a deeper and more anguished side of affection. The first painting in the Heart Seed series emerged from the written reflection, ‘The seed of tangled emotions ties me around with its branch. Will I ever be able to set myself free?’ The sensation of a texture ascending in the middle, conflicting with the background texture seemingly falling below, metaphorically illustrates the dilemma of whether to open or close one’s heart to others. The collision of underlying thoughts forms layers similar to shells, eventually giving rise to seeds.
Heart Seed 2
Oil on canvas
50.8 x 60.9 cm (20 x 24 in)
2021
Where does this emotion stem from, and where is it rooted?
What form does it take, and what am I truly searching for? Once again, I find myself hoping to unravel the tangled threads one by one, seeking the seed of it all. Will I ever uncover its essence as I trace the intertwined roots of these memories?
This piece was born out of the artist’s deep exploration and reflection on the emotion of affection: jeong (정情). Through writing and introspection, the artist sought to uncover its origins, weaving together thoughts and emotions to bring this work to life.
Cracking Seed
Oil and dried flower powder on canvas
120 x 177.8 cm (47.5 x 70 in)
2021
The shell peels off, and the seeds grow. A big movement, a loud echo, but I can't even hear that little whisper from the outside.
Cracking Seed portrays the fractured shell of the mind’s profound inner layers by visualizing a cross-section of a seed and bringing it to life through dynamic, gestural textures. If the artist’s earlier work likened the difficulty of accepting jeong to a tightly closed seed, this piece captures the transformation—the cracking of the shell, the peeling away of layers, and the gradual emergence of growth. It represents the artist's evolving journey, as they begin to recognize and embrace the threads of affection: jeong (정情) connecting people.
Vertigo
Oil stick and oil on Canvas
177.8 x 120 cm (70 x 47.5 in)
‘It may have been a dream, but I have a clear reminiscence of the world, full of golden lights I encountered in this chaotic space.'
This artwork captures the swirling chaos and beauty of encountering love—a moment so overwhelming that it teeters on the edge of disarray. Through dynamic gestural textures and vibrant gold-yellow hues, Vertigo visualizes the breathtaking yet disorienting emotions that arise when faced with the radiance of love’s allure, embodying the conflict between awe and inner turmoil.
Falling; 추락
Oil and oil stick on canvas
55.8 x 80 cm (22 x 31.5 in)
2021
Falling is a painting that explores the multifaceted perspectives of self-affection, influenced by the artist’s ongoing reflection on affection: jeong (정情). This piece explores the difficulty of offering that same deep, unconditional care to oneself. While sharing affection with others can feel intuitive, bestowing it upon oneself often seems nearly impossible. The painting captures this conflict—where the absence of jeong towards the self leads to a fracture in self-esteem, a sense of disconnection, and an overwhelming struggle to find balance within. The work visualizes the hardship of self-love, utilizing pigment sticks to trace the motion of falling, expressing both energy and vitality. The bright, vivid colors symbolize the outward appearance of emotions when seen from an altered perspective, yet the darkened edges reflect a narrowing vision, mirroring the internal struggle.
Spring to Come
Twin, ink, and hanji-paper on canvas
139.7 x 40.6 cm (55 x 16 in)
2021
Winter represents not only cold but also the waiting for spring and the blooming of flowers in our hearts. To express this, I created a winter tree with twine, Hanji paper, and paint.
I chose Hanji because I believe traditional Korean painting best captures the warmth and cold of the seasons. This piece relates to affection: affection: jeong (정情) by symbolizing emotional winters of longing and waiting. Just as flowers bloom after the cold, jeongnurtures us through hardships, bringing warmth and growth in time. My hope is that, like a blossoming field, those enduring emotional winters will eventually find connection and healing.
Knot; 매듭
Oil on canvas
120.9 x 92.4 cm (47.6 x 36 in)
2021
Knot expresses the absence of affection that pulls individuals into a deep, gnawing depression. In this journey, I saw myself as a knot—tangled and trapped. But when the knot is untangled, it becomes a single strand, symbolizing the possibility of connection.
By likening the connection to affection: jeong (정情) to a red thread, this piece represents self-love as a different kind of thread, one that needs to be unraveled and understood. The dynamic lines capture the push and pull of resisting and accepting kinship, while the stain-like marks reflect interrupted memories of affection. The work speaks to the difficulty of embracing jeongtoward oneself, and the hope of unraveling the emotional knots that keep us from fully connecting with both others and ourselves.
By likening the connection to affection: jeong (정情) to a red thread, this piece represents self-love as a different kind of thread, one that needs to be unraveled and understood. The dynamic lines capture the push and pull of resisting and accepting kinship, while the stain-like marks reflect interrupted memories of affection. The work speaks to the difficulty of embracing jeongtoward oneself, and the hope of unraveling the emotional knots that keep us from fully connecting with both others and ourselves.